Advertisement

An anonymous benefactor has donated £1.5 million to Bath Abbey, the largest amount ever received by the Abbey from a private individual.

The seven figure sum will go towards the Footprint project fundraising campaign to carry out essential repairs on the building.

An anonymous benefactor has donated £1.5 million to Bath Abbey Credit: Eye Ubiquitous/PA

The donor, who wants to remain anonymous, says the main reason behind the donation was he was:

Much impressed by the care and the consultation with has been put in by the Abbey, which is such a vital part of Bath's future.

This generation has a solemn duty to ensure the Abbey is fit and able to carry out its service to the city and the community for the next hundred years.

– Anonymous donor

The money will help carry out essential repairs to stabilise the Abbey's collapsing floor Credit: Geoff Kirby/PA

The £19.3 million Footprint project will carry out essential repairs to stabilise the Abbey's collapsing floor and introduce an innovative eco-friendly underfloor heating system using Bath's famous hot springs as a source of energy.

The programme will also create additional space and improved facilities, as well as develop new ways of sharing the Abbey's stories.

We are very grateful for this amazingly generous gift from one remarkable individual.

It came in an ordinary-looking envelope, without pomp or fanfare, but the contents were just astounding.

It clearly demonstrates the strength of feeling that the Abbey and its ministry inspires in people.

– Laura Brown, Footprint appeal director,

The Abbey's Footprint project received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund in May last year.

Two meeting places in the region have been given thousands of pounds in grants to help make them more attractive to people to use as community hubs.

The National Churches Trust have given £10,000 to both Bath Quaker Meeting House and St Mary Church in Chard. The money will be used for roof repairs, and changing the community facilities at the Bath Grade 2 listed building near Bath Abbey.